Disabled Rights
The Disability Discrimination Act gives disabled people important rights not to be discriminated against in the following general areas:
- In accessing everyday goods and services like shops, cafes, banks, cinemas and places of worship
- In buying or renting land or property
- In accessing or becoming a member of a larger private club (25 or more members)
- In accessing the functions of public bodies, like the issuing of licences for example
It also legislates for rights in the following specific areas :
Employment
It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against disabled people for a reason related to their disability, in all aspects of employment, unless this can be justified. Justification is only possible in certain circumstances.
Health
The Disability Discrimination Act gives disabled people rights of access to health services and social services, such as doctors' surgeries, dental surgeries and hospitals.
You also have a right to information about healthcare and social services in a format that is accessible to you where it is reasonable for the service provider to provide it in that format.
Education
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 amended the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to make it unlawful for education providers to discriminate against disabled pupils, students and adult learners; and to make sure disabled people are not disadvantaged in comparison with people who are not disabled.
Motoring and Transport
Disabled people have rights of access in relation to motoring, transport and travel infrastructure, such as railway stations and airports, under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The Disability Discrimination Act also means that you have a right to information about transport - timetables, for example - in a format that is accessible to you where it is reasonable for the transport provider to provide it in that format.
Information is provided by www.direct.gov.uk
More detailed information is available through the website which will guide you through your rights as they pertain to daily living with a disability or reduced mobility.